Laboratory Medicine & Pathology

Quality service. Quick and accurate results. Smart care.

Model of Excellence

With over 87,000 diagnostic services cases per year, our skilled lab technicians are experts, and they’re committed to the timely, accurate delivery of test results.

Respected Resource

Our confidential and timely diagnostic services are in demand not just with patients, but physicians, hospitals and laboratories across the Puget Sound region.

Convenience is Key

Get tested at any of our five UW Medicine hospital and Neighborhood Clinic lab locations and have same- or next-day results delivered to your inbox.

Featured Provider

Meet the provider: Eric Huang, M.D., Ph.D.

Dr. Huang is a board-certified clinical cytopathologist who works with patients at Harborview Medical Center. Dr. Huang received his Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering and has a number of published works, including chapters in pathology text books.

Our board-certified faculty and technical staff provide timely and accurate diagnostics, as well as consultative and clinical services. Our team examines over 87,000 anatomic pathology cases each year and serves as a reference lab for numerous hospitals and regional clinicians.

Guided by ultrasound, fine needle aspiration, or biopsy, collects a sample of microscopic cells of tissue or fluid from abnormal tissue for analysis and diagnosis. This biopsy is usually used to confirm or rule out cancer.

This is the analysis of the structure and function of a single cell or small cluster of cells. Cytopathology plays an important part in screening and diagnosing for cancer. It may also be used to look for viral infections.

With treatment protocols for breast cancer dependent upon specific characteristics of the disease, an accurate diagnosis is critical to establishing effective treatment for patients. Our dedicated breast pathologists are committed to providing outstanding diagnostic specialty medical care to the community, are actively involved in research in breast and gynecologic pathology and are preparing tomorrow's physicians, scientists and other health professionals in the field.

These tests help prevent and detect health problems in their early stages. The UW Department of Laboratory Medicine has the largest test menu of any laboratory in the Pacific Northwest and is a leader in test development, quality and interpretation. A full menu of testing choices is available in all major laboratory disciplines including hematology, coagulation, chemistry, immunology, microbiology, virology, molecular diagnostics and genetics. All clinical lab tests are available to UW Medicine patients at multiple locations, as well as to outside medical facilities through our Reference Laboratory Services, which can be reached at 206.520.4600.

This is the study of chromosomes, which contain most of our genetic information. Cytogenetics looks for changes in certain chromosomes that may display a sign of a genetic disease, condition or type of cancer. Cytogenetics can also be used to plan treatments and check a treatment’s effectiveness.

FISH is a technique used to find abnormalities in a person's chromosomes as well as other genetic mutations. This technique has a higher sensitivity and speed than other genetic diagnostic tests. FISH has proven significant in the research and diagnosis of blood and lymph system cancers.

This is the study of disease-causing microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. These microorganisms are also studied to determine their sensitivity to antibiotics and other treatments.

Doctors use genetic tests to check for mutations in a person’s genes. The tests are done with a sample of blood, saliva or tissue. If doctors find a mutation, they may determine whether a disease can be prevented or treated, or if it needs to be managed and monitored. The UW Medicine Center for Precision Diagnostics (CPDx) is a state-of-the-art genetic testing program that works with clinicians, families and researchers to provide accurate and fast results with superior customer service at a competitive price.

A cytometer is used to measure the physical and chemical characteristics of individual cells as they flow past a laser light source in a stream of liquid. It is commonly used to diagnose health conditions, particularly diseases of the blood or GI tract.

Toxicology screens are tests that identify the type and amount of legal or illegal drugs a patient has taken. This test helps the care team determine the level of treatment the patient needs or whether he or she is recovering properly.

This test helps check your urine for urinary tract infection, kidney problems and diabetes. Urinalysis is also used to monitor other medical conditions as well as treatments. We have five urinalysis locations across the Puget Sound region for your convenient testing needs.